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Newswise — On August 8, e-cigarette regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will go into effect. Under the new rules, vendors are banned from selling e-cigarettes to minors. They must ask for a photo I.D. for in-store purchases and e-cigarette vending machines will only be permitted at “adults only” establishments like bars and casinos. The FDA will now regulate all tobacco products from cigarettes and cigars to e-cigarettes and hookahs.

RTI International is at the forefront of e-cigarette research and has conducted studies on e-cigarette contents, emissions, secondhand exposure, and the effects of e-cigarette advertising on teens.

Interview Availability

In response to the new FDA rules going into effect, e-cigarette researchers at RTI International are available to discuss the possible impact of these regulations and current e-cigarette research.

●Youn Ok Lee, PhD, social scientist, is an expert in e-cigarette and tobacco product health behaviors among adults, youth and other vulnerable populations. She currently studies various e-cigarette topics including device types, labeling, and co-use with marijuana.

“While kids’ use of tobacco cigarettes is going down their use of e-cigarettes is going up. Our research has shown a link between e-cigarette advertising and the increased likelihood of teen use. We need to better understand what makes e-cigarettes appealing to kids so we can prevent them from using these products. Researchers and regulatory authorities are looking closely at the potential influence of flavors and company marketing on kids’ use of e-cigarettes and vapor products.”

●Matthew C. Farrelly, PhD, senior director, Public Health Policy Research Program, is a leading expert in tobacco control research, specializing in cigarette excise taxes, state tobacco control programs, mass media campaigns and policy interventions. His research has focused on understanding how youth and adults respond to anti-smoking campaign messages.

●Jennifer C. Duke, PhD, senior public health analyst, is an expert in the evaluation of social marketing and mass media campaigns, specializing in topics including e-cigarettes, tobacco prevention and tobacco cessation. Her research has focused on understanding U.S. youth exposure to mass media campaigns and their impact on health.

●Annice Kim, PhD, senior social scientist, Center for Health Policy Science and Tobacco Research is an expert in monitoring e-cigarette marketing practices and its influence on consumers. She examines social media data to understand emerging issues around e-cigarettes including changes in consumer perceptions and use behaviors, framing of anti and pro e-cigarette messages by news media, health agencies, and e-cigarette advocates, and marketing of e-cigarette products online.

●Jonathan Thornburg, PhD, director, Exposure and Aerosol Technology Program, is a leading expert in aerosol science and exposure assessment. He has conducted extensive research on e-cigarette emissions and the potential for secondhand exposure.

●Jessica K. Pepper, PhD, social scientist, studies what adults and adolescents understand about e-cigarettes and other vaping devices and why they use these products. She has also conducted research on how pediatricians talk with their patients about e-cigarettes and why youth are attracted to flavored e-cigarettes.

●Lauren M. Dutra, ScD, social scientist, studies the psychosocial characteristics of adolescent users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. She also researches the impact of tobacco control policy and advertising exposure on patterns of tobacco use over the lifecourse.